This is a male Yellow-mantled widowbird, although the characteristic yellow shoulder patch is not as large as it usually is. The patch varies greatly depending on geography. In some places the shoulder patches merge into a large, uniform dorsal patch (hence the name). As with other widowbirds, the male with the longest tail has a reproductive advantage. The species is most often found in moist grasslands. The diet consists of various grass seeds but is supplemented by insects.